AI/ML Jobs in India 2025: 50,000+ Openings, ₹8-90 LPA Salaries - Complete Hiring Guide
🚀 AI/ML Jobs in India 2025: 50,000+ Openings, ₹8-90 LPA Salaries
Your Complete Guide to Landing High-Paying AI/ML Roles
📅 December 19, 2025 - Bangalore
My phone buzzed at 11 PM. Another LinkedIn message: "We're hiring LLM Engineers. ₹45-65 LPA. Can you refer someone?"
This was the 4th such message this week.
The AI/ML job market in India has gone completely insane. Here's the reality:
📊 Current Market Stats (December 2025):
- ✅ 50,000+ open AI/ML positions in India
- ✅ Only ~15,000 qualified candidates
- ✅ Demand-to-supply ratio: 3.3:1
- ✅ Average time to fill position: 4-6 months (companies desperate!)
- ✅ Salary growth: 40-60% year-over-year
💡 Translation? If you have real AI/ML skills, you can literally pick and choose where to work.
But here's the catch: Most candidates are applying wrong, targeting wrong companies, and missing 80% of opportunities.
🎯 The AI/ML Job Categories (Understand Before Applying)
🔧 Category 1: Machine Learning Engineer (Most Common)
📊 Job Count: 20,000+ openings
💼 What They Do: Build and deploy ML models, work with structured data, implement classical ML algorithms, optimize model performance
💰 Average Salary:
- 🟢 Fresher (0-2 yrs): ₹10-16 LPA
- 🟡 Mid (2-5 yrs): ₹16-30 LPA
- 🔴 Senior (5+ yrs): ₹30-55 LPA
🏢 Top Hiring Companies: Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zerodha, CRED, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Razorpay, PhonePe
🔥 Category 2: LLM Engineer ⭐ HOTTEST (Highest Paid!)
📊 Job Count: 8,000+ openings (growing 200% YoY!)
💼 What They Do: Build applications using GPT-4, Claude, Gemini; implement RAG systems; fine-tune LLMs; optimize prompts
💰 Average Salary:
- 🟢 Fresher (0-2 yrs): ₹18-28 LPA
- 🟡 Mid (2-5 yrs): ₹28-55 LPA
- 🔴 Senior (5+ yrs): ₹55-90 LPA
💼 Real Example: "LLM Engineer - Bangalore - ₹45-65 LPA - 2-3 years experience required"
🏢 Top Hiring Companies: Krutrim (Ola), Sarvam AI, CoRover, Swiggy, Zomato, Zerodha, Microsoft, Google, Amazon
📊 Category 3: Data Scientist
📊 Job Count: 12,000+ openings
💰 Average Salary:
- 🟢 Fresher (0-2 yrs): ₹8-14 LPA
- 🟡 Mid (2-5 yrs): ₹14-28 LPA
- 🔴 Senior (5+ yrs): ₹28-50 LPA
🏢 Top Hiring Companies: Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra, Paytm, PhonePe, Razorpay, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte
⚙️ Category 4: MLOps Engineer (Rapidly Growing!)
📊 Job Count: 6,000+ openings
💰 Average Salary:
- 🟢 Fresher (1-2 yrs): ₹15-22 LPA
- 🟡 Mid (2-5 yrs): ₹22-40 LPA
- 🔴 Senior (5+ yrs): ₹40-70 LPA
👁️ Category 5: Computer Vision Engineer
📊 Job Count: 5,000+ openings
💰 Salary:
- Fresher: ₹12-18 LPA
- Mid: ₹18-35 LPA
- Senior: ₹35-65 LPA
💬 Category 6: NLP Engineer
📊 Job Count: 4,000+ openings
💰 Salary:
- Fresher: ₹10-16 LPA
- Mid: ₹16-32 LPA
- Senior: ₹32-60 LPA
💡 Note: Many NLP roles now overlap with LLM roles!
🏢 Complete Company Hiring List (50,000+ Jobs)
🏆 Tier 1: FAANG & Top MNCs (₹25-90 LPA)
🔵 Google (Bangalore, Hyderabad)
- 📊 Openings: 200+ AI/ML roles
- 💼 Roles: ML Engineer, Research Scientist, LLM Engineer
- 💰 Salary: ₹30-85 LPA
- 🔗 Apply: careers.google.com
🟦 Microsoft (Hyderabad, Bangalore, Noida)
- 📊 Openings: 300+ AI/ML roles
- 💰 Salary: ₹28-75 LPA
- 🔗 Apply: careers.microsoft.com
🟧 Amazon (Bangalore, Hyderabad)
- 📊 Openings: 500+ AI/ML roles
- 💰 Salary: ₹25-70 LPA
- 🔗 Apply: amazon.jobs
🦄 Tier 2: Top Indian Unicorns (₹18-50 LPA)
🏢 Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Zerodha, PhonePe, CRED - All actively hiring ML Engineers, LLM Engineers, and Data Scientists
🚀 Tier 3: AI-First Startups (₹18-65 LPA)
🔥 Krutrim (Ola's AI) - Bangalore ⭐ HOT!
- 📊 Openings: 200+ AI/ML roles
- 💰 Salary: ₹25-65 LPA
- ✨ Why Join: Building India's LLM
🔥 Sarvam AI - Bangalore ⭐ HOT!
- 📊 Openings: 80+ AI/ML roles
- 💰 Salary: ₹30-70 LPA
- ✨ Why Join: Well-funded, cutting-edge
🏭 Tier 4: Service Companies (₹8-25 LPA)
🏢 TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant - 3,000+ openings each, great for freshers
🗺️ City-Wise AI/ML Job Distribution
🏙️ Bangalore (40% of all jobs - 20,000+ openings)
Why Bangalore?
- ✅ Highest number of tech companies
- ✅ Highest salaries (₹18-90 LPA range)
- ✅ Best networking opportunities
- ✅ Startup ecosystem
💰 Avg Salary: ₹18-35 LPA (experienced), ₹12-18 LPA (freshers)
🏙️ Hyderabad (25% - 12,500+ openings)
🏢 Top Companies: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple, TCS, Infosys
💰 Avg Salary: ₹15-30 LPA
🏙️ Pune, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai
📊 Combined: 35% of jobs
💰 Salary Range: ₹10-35 LPA
🔍 How to Find These Jobs (5 Proven Methods)
1️⃣ LinkedIn (80% of opportunities)
🎯 Optimize Your Profile:
- Headline: "LLM Engineer | RAG Systems | Fine-tuning | Python | Open to opportunities"
- About: Showcase your skills and projects
- Set Job Alerts for: "LLM Engineer", "ML Engineer", "Machine Learning"
📊 Apply Strategy: Apply to 10-15 jobs DAILY
2️⃣ Naukri.com (Indian Jobs)
🔍 Filter by:
- Keyword "Machine Learning"
- Salary minimum ₹12 LPA
- Top 5 cities
3️⃣ AngelList (Startups)
🚀 Best for LLM roles!
Search: "LLM Engineer India" - You'll find Krutrim, Sarvam AI, dozens of AI startups
4️⃣ Company Career Pages (Direct)
📅 Check weekly: google.com/careers, careers.microsoft.com, amazon.jobs, flipkartcareers.com, careers.swiggy.com
5️⃣ Referrals (FASTEST - 5x higher chance) 🔥
How to Get Referrals:
- Find employees on LinkedIn
- Reach out with personalized message
- Response Rate: 20-30%
- Interview Rate with Referral: 60-70% (vs 5-10% without)
✅ What Companies Look For (Avoid 90% Rejections)
❌ Resume Mistakes (Instant Rejections):
- ❌ "Aspiring AI/ML Engineer" (You ARE or you AREN'T)
- ❌ "Completed online courses" (Nobody cares)
- ❌ Projects: Tutorial copies (worthless)
- ❌ No GitHub link (red flag)
✅ What Actually Works:
- ✅ Strong Headline with specific skills
- ✅ Projects with metrics and results
- ✅ GitHub with 8-10 polished projects
- ✅ Regular commits showing consistency
🎯 Interview Process (What to Expect)
Round 1: Screening (HR - 15 mins) 📞
Questions: Tell me about yourself, Why AI/ML?, Salary expectations?, Notice period?
Round 2: Technical - Coding (60 mins) 💻
Python coding, Data structures, SQL queries. Prep: 100 LeetCode problems
Round 3: Technical - ML Theory (60 mins) 🧠
Common Questions: Explain backpropagation, Bias-variance tradeoff, Overfitting vs underfitting
Round 4: Technical - Project Deep Dive (60 mins) 🔍
They pick one of YOUR projects and test if you actually built it
Round 5: System Design (45 mins) - Senior Roles 🏗️
Example: "Design a recommendation system for e-commerce"
Round 6: Hiring Manager (30 mins) 🤝
Behavioral questions, Team fit, Salary negotiation
💰 Salary Negotiation (Get ₹5-15L More!)
✅ Do's:
- ✅ Have Multiple Offers
- ✅ Research Market Rate
- ✅ Highlight Value
- ✅ Be Professional
❌ Don'ts:
- ❌ Accept First Offer
- ❌ Be Aggressive
- ❌ Lie About Offers
- ❌ Negotiate Too Early
💡 Real Example:
Initial Offer: ₹16 LPA
Your Response: "I'm excited about this opportunity. However, I have another offer at ₹19L. Additionally, given my LLM expertise and the market rate for LLM Engineers (₹20-25L), I was expecting around ₹22L. Is there room to discuss?"
Outcome: Company comes back with ₹20-21L (₹4-5L more!)
Success Rate: 60-70% get ₹2-5L increase by negotiating
⚠️ Top 10 Mistakes Candidates Make
- Applying Without Preparation: Build portfolio first
- Tutorial Projects Only: Build 2-3 unique projects
- Not Networking: Get referrals (60% response rate!)
- Wrong Keywords: Use job description keywords
- Not Following Up: Follow up after 1 week
- Poor GitHub Profile: 8-10 polished projects with READMEs
- Generic Applications: Customize resume for each company
- Ignoring Soft Skills: Practice behavioral questions
- Not Practicing Interviews: 10 mock interviews before real ones
- Giving Up Too Soon: 50 applications → 10 responses → 3 interviews → 1 offer
📅 Your 30-Day Job Search Plan
📍 Week 1: Preparation
- 📝 Days 1-3: Resume Polish
- 💻 Days 4-5: GitHub Cleanup
- 🔗 Days 6-7: LinkedIn Optimization
🤝 Week 2: Networking
- 📧 Days 8-14: Reach Out - Message 50 people for referrals
🚀 Week 3-4: Applications
- 📊 Daily: Apply to 10-15 jobs
- 🎯 Total by Week 4: 150+ applications
📈 Expected Results:
- Week 2: First responses 📧
- Week 3: 5-10 interview calls 📞
- Week 4: 2-3 final rounds 🎯
- Week 5-6: Offers! 🎉
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many jobs should I apply to?
A: Minimum 50 jobs, Ideal 100-150 jobs, With Referrals: 30-50 jobs. Timeline: 2-3 months
Q2: What's a realistic timeline to get hired?
A: Fast Track (with referrals): 4-8 weeks, Normal: 8-16 weeks, Slow: 4-6 months
Q3: Can freshers get AI/ML jobs?
A: YES!
Required: Strong portfolio (8-10 projects), Current tech skills (LLMs, GenAI), Good GitHub profile. Expected Salary: ₹8-16 LPA
Q4: Do I need a degree?
A: Large companies: 80% require degree. Startups: 50% don't care (portfolio matters). FAANG: 95% require degree. Workaround: Apply to startups, build experience, then move to big cos
Q5: Should I take a lower offer and switch later?
A: If desperate, take ₹8-10L offer. But keep applying! You can switch after 1-2 years with better salary.
🎯 Conclusion: 50,000 Jobs Waiting for You
💼 The Reality:
✅ 50,000+ AI/ML openings in India
✅ Salaries: ₹8-90 LPA
✅ Demand far exceeds supply
✅ Companies DESPERATE for talent
🚀 The Opportunity:
If you have real skills, strong portfolio, and right application strategy, you WILL get hired.
⏱️ The Timeline:
2-4 months with focused effort, 50-150 applications, 10-20 interviews, 2-5 offers
Start today. Your ₹18-50 LPA job is waiting. 🚀
Ready to Land These Jobs?
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Related Articles:
- → How to Become an AI Engineer in 2025
- → LLM Engineer: ₹40-74 LPA Career Guide
- → Top 10 AI/ML Skills That Will Get You Hired
- → How to Crack AI/ML Interviews in 2025
- → AI Career: Data Scientist vs ML Engineer vs LLM Engineer
Last Updated: December 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many AI/ML jobs are available in India in 2025?
A: There are 50,000+ open AI/ML positions in India as of December 2025, with only ~15,000 qualified candidates. This creates a demand-to-supply ratio of 3.3:1, making it a highly favorable market for job seekers with the right skills.
Q: What is the salary range for AI/ML jobs in India?
A: AI/ML salaries in India range from ₹8-90 LPA depending on role and experience. Freshers: ₹8-18 LPA, Mid-level (2-5 years): ₹16-55 LPA, Senior (5+ years): ₹30-90 LPA. LLM Engineers command the highest salaries at ₹18-90 LPA.
Q: Which AI/ML role pays the most in India?
A: LLM Engineer is currently the highest-paying AI/ML role in India, with salaries ranging from ₹18-28 LPA for freshers to ₹55-90 LPA for senior positions. This is due to acute talent shortage and high demand for GenAI expertise.
Q: How can I find AI/ML jobs in India?
A: Use 5 proven methods: (1) LinkedIn - optimize profile and apply to 10-15 jobs daily, (2) Naukri.com for Indian companies, (3) AngelList for startups, (4) Company career pages directly, (5) Referrals - most effective with 60-70% interview rate vs 5-10% without.
Q: Can freshers get AI/ML jobs in India?
A: Yes! Freshers can get AI/ML jobs with: Strong portfolio (8-10 projects), Current tech skills (LLMs, GenAI), Good GitHub profile, Clear communication. Expected salary: ₹8-16 LPA. Service companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro hire 3,000+ freshers annually.
Q: Which cities have the most AI/ML jobs in India?
A: Bangalore leads with 40% (20,000+ jobs) offering ₹18-90 LPA. Hyderabad has 25% (12,500+ jobs) at ₹15-70 LPA. Pune, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai combined have 35% of jobs at ₹10-35 LPA. Bangalore offers highest salaries and best networking.
Q: What companies are hiring AI/ML engineers in India?
A: Top hiring companies: FAANG (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta) - ₹25-90 LPA; Unicorns (Flipkart, Swiggy, Zerodha, PhonePe) - ₹18-50 LPA; AI Startups (Krutrim, Sarvam AI) - ₹25-70 LPA; Service (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) - ₹8-25 LPA.
Q: How long does it take to get an AI/ML job in India?
A: Timeline varies: Fast track with referrals: 4-8 weeks, Normal online applications: 8-16 weeks, Passive search: 4-6 months. Expected: 50-150 applications → 10-20 responses → 5-10 interviews → 2-5 offers. Focused effort reduces time by 40%.
Q: What skills do I need for AI/ML jobs in India?
A: Essential skills: Python, SQL, ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), For LLM roles: GPT-4/Claude API, LangChain, RAG, fine-tuning, For ML Engineer: Scikit-learn, model deployment, MLOps, For Data Scientist: Statistics, pandas, visualization, business acumen.
Q: How can I negotiate a higher AI/ML salary?
A: Negotiation tips: Have multiple offers (leverage), Research market rates, Highlight unique value (LLM expertise), Be professional. Real example: Initial ₹16L → Negotiate to ₹20-21L (₹4-5L more). Success rate: 60-70% get ₹2-5L increase by negotiating properly.
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